Delmas– The Delmas community is demanding justice and stricter action against child-abuse cases after a relative allegedly rape his five-year-old niece.
The accused, Bongani Muzimbe, was arrested last month after community members alerted police. He briefly appeared in the Delmas Magistrate Court, where the matter was postponed to 22 October 2022.
Thulisile Skhosana from the Rapid Response Task Team urged authorities to keep child-rape cases within the local court system. “As a community, we request that all rape cases involving children be handled here in Delmas,” she said. “It is easier for us to report and follow up when the cases stay local. When matters are sent to Witbank, responses are delayed.”
A relative who asked to remain anonymous said the child initially confided in her grandmother, describing inappropriate contact. The relative alleged that the grandmother discouraged the child from speaking out.
Family member Phinkiwe Mpandla told the publication that she was the first to notice signs of abuse. “I discovered it when I was bathing her. She complained that it was painful and when I asked what was wrong, she said Bongani had peed on her. That’s when I informed her mother although she did not show support to the child,” Mpandla said.
Titi Mpandla, a grandmother of the victim and mother of the accused, said the family will allow the courts to determine the outcome. “If he did what he is accused of, he must face the consequences,” she said.
Residents claim Muzimbe has a history of troubling behaviour, including bullying at local schools such as Vezimfundo Primary and Phaphamani Secondary, where he was reportedly expelled.
On the day of Muzimbe’s court appearance, the Rapid Response Task Team, Delmas First Women, ANC members and community residents picketed outside the court. Protesters carried placards and later submitted a petition opposing bail for the accused.
The petition, signed by more than 60 community members, stated: “As the community of Victor Khanye Local Municipality, we stand firm in opposing bail in the case of Bongani Muzimbe. We feel that our streets are not safe and will never be if we continue to allow such perpetrators to roam free.”
